Supporting our Armed Forces

We value the unique relationship we have with the Armed Forces and recently strengthened our support with a range of additional commitments to promote the fact that we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.

Message from Nigel

“Providing support to the Armed Services lies at the very heart of what we do as a company, demonstrated in the world-leading equipment we provide to those who protect us. Earlier this year we strengthened our support by signing the revised Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, giving amongst other things, increased support and encouragement to employees who are members of the Reserve Forces. We appreciate the tremendous contribution our Armed Forces make to our society and are proud to support National Armed Forces Day in Guildford.”

Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director – Programmes and Support

Trevor Field

“A vital part of my role in MAI is looking at how we can better work with our customers in the Armed Forces to ensure that ongoing work is delivered in a way that is efficient as possible for both parties, saving costs and increasing reliability and the capability of our troops.”

Trevor is Service Delivery Transformation and Bid Development Business Manager, Combat Air Supply Chain, MAI
Vice-Chairman (Air) of the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

Karen Kristiansen - Site Security Manager, Sea Cadets

“A minority risk their lives for the security of the majority and the job they do is paramount. Armed Forces Day is a great way to recognise them.”

Steve Ravenscroft
Engineering Manager, RAF Reserves

“Having operational experience myself and being involved with operational training and exercises ensures I have current awareness of operational needs and methods.”

"I joined the Reserves in July 2014 because I was stuck in a bit of a routine and was looking for some excitement and the opportunity to meet new people – the Reserves offered all that."

Tom Crawford, Major, Army Reserves

“From a Reservists perspective BAE Systems is a fantastic organisation to work for. We have a robust and fair Reserves policy, and that’s appreciated by those of us who are Reservists”
Tom is the Technical Information Systems Capability Lead within Combat Vehicles. He's a Training Officer in the reserves, with the rank of Major in 101 Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

To find out more about Tom's journey and exactly what he does to support our Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day, on 27 June 2015, allows us all the opportunity to think more broadly about our personal and collective support for the Armed Forces.

The Day is aimed at raising public awareness of the contribution made by those who serve, and have served, in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. It allows the public to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community; serving personnel, their families, veterans, reservists and cadets.

Hannah Williams - Engineering Graduate, Air Cadets

Hannah Williams

“The leadership skills I learned in the Air Cadets, such as good communication and being self-motivated, have played a huge part in helping me get where I am in my engineering career so far.”

We don't just provide the UK Armed Forces with advanced platforms, technologies and tools – we also support its people.

In September 2013, we became the first defence company to sign the UK Government Armed Forces Corporate Covenant to support serving personnel, veterans and military families.
In signing the Covenant, we've pledged to ensure no member of the Armed Forces Community faces disadvantage; to recognise that special treatment for the injured or bereaved may be required; and to seek to employ veterans and Service spouses and partners.